29/03/2008 11:12 PM
The Gold Coast Titans have made it two wins from two starts at home this season after registering an 18-4 victory over the Cronulla Sharks at Skilled Park on Saturday night.
Despite trailing 0-4 at half-time, the Titans scored three tries after the break to propel the Sharks to their first loss of the 2008 season.
Luke Bailey was sensational for the Titans, the inspirational skipper making many metres for his side and keeping numerous attacking forays from the Sharks at bay.
Bailey received plenty of support from halfback Scott Prince, fullback Preston Campbell and back-up prop Brad Meyers, who even managed to score a try of his own.
Halfback Brett Kimmorley lacked creativity for the Sharks, while the usually reliable Ben Pomeroy, Paul Gallen and Greg Bird failed to flatter.
The Titans opened the game in style, dominating field position and picking up numerous repeat sets of six after some pinpoint kicks into the in goal area.
Despite the territorial domination, the Titans could not find a way through a watertight Sharks' defence and found themselves trailing when centre David Simmons opened the scoring after 23 minutes.
At first receiver, Kimmorley found Bird who duly picked out Simmons out wide who planted the ball down near the corner to give the Sharks a lead they hardly deserved.
Luke Covell missed the conversion, but the Sharks led 4-0.
With points at a premium, the Sharks had their chance to increase their lead right on the stroke of half-time when referee James Robinson penalised the Titans.
But Covell, widely regarded as one of the best kickers in the NRL, hit the upright from straight in front with a simple penalty goal attempt as only four points separated the sides at the break.
The Titans once again dominated the early part of the second half and were rewarded for their persistence when Mat Rogers capatilised on a mistake by fullback Brett Kearney close to the line.
Meyers picked up some invaluable metres on the second last tackle before Rogers chased his own kick on the last and Kearney fumbled the ball to gift the former rugby union international a four-pointer.
Ben Jeffery missed the conversion, leaving the score locked at 4-4.
With the home side running with all the momentum, it was only a matter of time before they took the lead and Meyers was the man who gave them that advantage after 55 minutes.
Nathan Friend and Prince were unable to break the Sharks' line, but Meyers made a bustling run, beating two defenders in the process to give the home side a valuable try.
Prince made no mistake with the simple conversion to push the Titans' lead out to six (10-4) and when the champion halfback nailed a penalty goal after 67 minutes, the home side was looking good.
The Sharks tried valiantly to hit back, but winger Jordan Atkins iced the match for the Titans with a late try out wide, much to the delight of a vocal Gold Coast crowd.
Gold Coast Titans 18
Tries: Rogers, Meyers, Atkins
Conversions: Prince 2
Penalty Goal: Prince
Cronulla Sharks 4
Tries: Simmons
Sportal's NRL Player of the Year:
3 - Luke Bailey (Titans)
2 – Scott Prince (Titans)
1 – Brad Meyers (Titans)